Report claims Man United star whose back condition wouldn't allow him to play in World Cup double-header is making 15-hour round-trip journey

Aches on a plane: Ferdinand and his bad back will reportedly be on jets for long hours

Rio Ferdinand is to spend FIFTEEN hours sitting on planes so he can work as a pundit on TV coverage of an England game he pulled out of to protect his dodgy back, according to a report.

The Daily Mail story claims Manchester United defender Ferdinand, who was named in Three Lions manager Roy Hodgson's squad to face San Marino on Friday and Montenegro next Tuesday in World Cup qualifiers but withdrew, is off to Qatar to appear on the Al Jazeera network.

While Hodgson and his players travel to northern Italy for Friday's game, Ferdinand will, the piece adds, make a trip that's three times as long, be part of the broadcast from Doha, then fly back again before the Montenegro tie.

Ferdinand had been due to arrive at St George's Park at Burton that evening. Instead the FA released a statement which confirmed Ferdinand was withdrawing after meeting Hodgson in London on Sunday evening.

Hodgson said: "I'm disappointed Rio will not be available, but due to the detailed pre-planned training and medical programme he must follow it's not possible.

"However, I was pleased that Rio called and asked to meet with me. It was important to hear from him personally about the way he must manage his body between games.

"This is not to say he cannot play back-to-back games - he can and has proven so. He's out this time due to particular pre-planned details already in place for his programme.

"I must place on record how I was impressed with his commitment to playing for England and I look forward to hopefully selecting him for squads in the future."

Later, Ferdinand tweeted his diappointment.

He posted: "I'm Gutted I had to pull out of england squad, but it was the right decision for my intricate pre-planned programme.